Exit light with plug-in housing

ABSTRACT

A lighting device includes a housing and a light emitter coupled to the housing. A mounting plate is coupled to the housing and includes a front surface facing the housing and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The rear surface includes a snap-fit mounting feature and a rear connector portion. A first connector is coupled to the rear connector portion and operatively coupled to the light emitter.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.62/463,916, filed Feb. 27, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and to which priority is claimed.

FIELD

Various embodiments relate to light fixtures, for example exit lights.

BACKGROUND

Light fixtures are commonly used in public and commercial buildings toindicate and illuminate areas such as stairs and exits in the event of apower failure. These fixtures typically have an emergency backup powersystem such as a battery that automatically turns on the emergency lightwhen the primary power source is interrupted.

These light fixtures are typically hung on a wall or ceiling, and areconnected to a high-voltage power supply to charge the battery and tooperate the unit under normal conditions. Replacing these fixtures canbe difficult and expensive due to their location and the need to have alicensed electrician make the appropriate high-voltage connections.

SUMMARY

A lighting device includes a housing and a light emitter coupled to thehousing. A mounting plate is coupled to the housing and includes a frontsurface facing the housing and a rear surface opposite the frontsurface. The rear surface includes a snap-fit mounting feature and arear connector portion. A first connector is coupled to the rearconnector portion and operatively coupled to the light emitter.

A lighting device includes a housing and a light emitter coupled to thehousing. A mounting plate coupled to the housing and has a front surfacefacing the housing and a rear surface opposite the front surface. Aafirst connector is coupled to the rear connector portion and operativelyconnected to the light emitter. A second connector is configured to becoupled to a power supply. The first connector is configured to matewith the second connector.

A lighting assembly includes a housing at least partially defining achamber containing a control component for a light emitter. A mountingplate having a front portion facing the chamber and a rear portionpositioned opposite the chamber. A first connector and a first snap-fitfeature extend from the rear portion. A junction box includes aplurality of walls. A second snap-fit feature is provided on at leastone of the walls. A second connector is positioned in the junction box.The first snap-fit feature mates with the second snap fit feature andthe first connector mates with the second connector.

A method of installing a quick-change lighting assembly. A firstelectrical connector is wired to a power supply. The first electricalconnector is coupled to a junction box. A lighting assembly is coupledto the junction box. The lighting assembly includes a mounting plate anda second electrical connector extending from the mounting plate. Thesecond electrical connector mates with the first electrical connectorwhen the lighting assembly is coupled to the junction box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aspects and features of various exemplary embodiments will be moreapparent from the description of those exemplary embodiments taken withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary emergency lightassembly;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the light assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 1 withthe compartment door in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the housing of the light assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the housing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the housing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the light assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the door of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the door of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an exemplary mounting plate;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the mounting plate of FIG. 11 witha connector attached;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the housing and mounting plateassembly showing a wired connection;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 front perspective view of an exemplary junction box andconnector;

FIG. 17 is a is front perspective view of the junction box and lightassembly;

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of an exemplary truss mountingassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-10 show an exemplary embodiment of an emergency lightingassembly 10. The lighting assembly includes a housing 12, one or morelamps 14, and a door 16 covering a battery compartment 18. The housing12 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment has a front wall 20, inclinedside walls 22, an inclined top wall 24, and an inclined bottom wall 26.Rounded corners 28 or other transitions can connect the walls. Slots 23are provided in the side walls 22 and the top wall 24. One or more ofthe walls 22, 24, 26 can include one or more knockouts 29. For example,a knockout 29 can be positioned in both of the side walls 22 and the topwall 24. The knockouts 29 can be selectively removed to provide one ormore wire openings for the housing 12.

The lamps 14 extend through openings in the housing, for example,positioned mainly in the rounded corners 28. Side walls 22 are orientedat an incline with respect to the front wall 20 to direct light in agenerally outward and forward direction with respect to the housing 12.The housing 12 and lamp 14 can have various alternative configurationsdepending on the desired light output, strength, and direction. Thehousing 12 can be made from a molded plastic material, metal, composite,or other suitable rigid material.

Each of the lamps 14 can be independently adjusted to direct the beam oflight produced from the lamp 14 to a selected area. In an exemplaryembodiment, the lamps 14 can pivot and swivel within a socket in thehousing 12. The lamps 14 can include any suitable light source, forexample light emitting diodes (LED) or halogen light sources.

The light assembly 10 is connected to a main power source (not shown)and includes a battery 25 for providing auxiliary power. In an exemplaryembodiment, the internal circuitry and the lamps 14 are connected to thebattery by wires or another electrical connection. The light assembly 10is then connected to a main power source to maintain the battery 25 in acharged condition. Typically, the light assembly 10 is wired to anelectrical junction box or electrical receptacle as known in the art.Circuitry actuates the lamps 14 when certain conditions are present, forexample an alarm is activated or the primary source of power isinterrupted.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-6, the exemplary housing includes a compartment18 for housing the battery 25. The compartment 18 is accessible throughthe front of the housing 12 without removing the housing 12 or otherwiseexposing high voltage components (e.g. conductors or circuitry). Thecompartment 18 is covered by a moveable door 16 that can be selectivelyopened and closed by a user. The battery 25 can be secured in thehousing 12 by a strap 27. The strap 27 can be feed through one or moreslots in the compartment 18. The strap 27 can utilize a releasablefastener, for example a hook-and-loop fastener, buckle, clip, etc.

The front wall 20 includes a depression 30 adjacent the compartment 18opening and a boss 32 extending into the compartment 18. The compartment18 includes a bottom wall 34, top wall 36, side walls 38 extending fromthe front wall 20 toward the rear of the housing 12, and a back wall 40connected to one or more of the other walls 34, 36, 38. The top wall 36can include an undercut portion and the back wall 40 can include a slotfor receiving the strap 27.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom wall 34 includes one or more setsof protrusions 42 defining a groove. Slots 44 are positioned adjacentthe bottom wall 34 and the side walls 38 to retain the door 16. The topwall 36 extends at least partially over the compartment 18 and includesa channel 46 and an aperture 48 that extends into and through the backwall 40 as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. One or more angled grooves 50and projections 52 are provided in the compartment 18. For example afirst angled groove 50 and projection 52 are provided on the top wall 36and a second angled groove 50 and projection 52 are provided on a flangeextending over the compartment 18. The grooves 50 and projections 52 areconfigured to engage the door 16.

The door 16, according to the exemplary embodiment and best shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 includes a cover 54 having a front surface and a backsurface. An angled tab 56 extends upward from the cover 54, althoughother alternative configurations may be used. One or more clips 58, forexample first and second clips 58 having an opening, extend rearwardfrom the back surface of the cover 54. First and second legs 60 extenddownward from the back surface of the cover 54. A pin 62 extends fromeach of the first and second legs 60. Flaps 64 extend from the backsurface of the cover 54. The cover can be made from a variety ofmaterials, including non-conductive materials such as molded plastic,although other rigid materials may be used.

The pins 62 extend into the slots 44 to pivotally connect the door 16 tothe housing 12. When the door 16 is in the closed position, the clips 58engage the grooves 50 and projections 52 and the tab 56 rests in thedepression 30. The projections 52 extend into the openings of the clips58 to releasable secure the door 16 in the closed position. A fastener,for example a screw, can be inserted through the tab 56 and into theboss 32 to secure the cover 16 to the housing 12. The tab 56 can includean aperture for receiving the screw. Other connections, including otherhinge or pivotal connections or a non-hinged, separable connection canbe made between the door 16 and the housing 12.

The compartment 18 holds the battery 25 but isolates and/or limits aninstaller from touching high voltage components or circuits inside thehousing 12. The battery's low voltage is supplied to the main unit viawires that are routed through an opening in the back of the batterycompartment. The battery 25 can therefore be easily changed by a userwithout moving the housing 12 and without risk to injury.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the interior of the housing 12 includes variousstructural elements to secure required electrical components and thebattery 25. The light assembly 10 contains suitable electricalcomponents for powering and activating the lamps 14, for exampleelectrical conductors and circuitry as shown in FIG. 8 and would beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Certain components,including portions of the wiring have been removed from FIG. 8 forclarity.

In an exemplary embodiment, a charger 68, for example a PCB mountedcharger, is secured to the housing 12. The charger 68 can include anelectrical connector that extends into the compartment 18, for examplethrough the channel 46 or aperture 48. The electrical connector can be aseries of wire conductors and a wire harness connector, although othersuitable types of electrical connectors, including wire conductors orother releasable connectors can be used

FIGS. 11-17 show an exemplary mounting plate 100 that can be used toconnect the housing 12 to a support structure, such as a junction box200. In an exemplary embodiment the mounting plate 100 is snap-fit tothe junction box 200 and allows for a quick connect/disconnectelectrical connection to be made from the junction box 100 to theemergency lighting assembly 10. The electrical connection can be aplug-in type connection that does not require a user to splice orhard-wire the electrical connection between the light housing 12 and themain power supply positioned in the junction box 100.

FIG. 11 shows a front side of the mounting plate 100 that faces thehousing 12. The front side includes a front surface 102 and frontconnector portion 104 positioned on the front surface 104. The frontconnector portion 104 includes an area that is configured to receive atleast a portion of an electrical connector or connector assembly. Thearea can include one or more mounting features to receive the electricalconnector. In an exemplary embodiment, the front connector portion 104includes a slot 106 and a set of raised front bosses 108. A connectorbody and/or wiring can at least partially extend through the slot 106,while one or more of the front bosses 108 can receive fasteners tosecure the connector to the mounting plate 100.

The front side of the mounting plate 100 also includes features toconnect the mounting plate 100 to the housing 12. A pair of tabs 110extend from the top of the mounting plate 100 and a pair of arms 112extend from the bottom of the mounting plate 100. The arms 112 includecantilevered beams having a snap-fit hook. The tabs 110 are mated withthe slots 23 on the top wall 24 of the housing 12 and the arms are matedwith the slots 23 on the side walls 22 of the housing 12. The mountingplate 100 can be snap-fit to the housing 12 and a user can depress thetabs 110 through the slots 23 to release the mounting plate 100 from thehousing 12. One or more reinforcement ribs 114 extend from the frontsurface 102.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a rear side of the mounting plate 100. The rearside includes a rear surface 116 having an outer region 118 and an innerregion 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner region 120 is at leastpartially defined by a set of walls 122 and a pair of mounting arms 124extending outwardly from the rear surface 116. The walls 122 includeopposite top and bottom walls 126, opposite side walls 128, as well asraised corner walls 130 that extend above the other wall sections. Thetop and bottom walls 126 can each include a central tab 132 having anaperture. The mounting arms 124 include cantilevered beams having asnap-fit hook. One or more reinforcement ribs 134 extend from the rearsurface 116.

A rear connector portion 136 is positioned in the inner region 120. Therear connector portion 136 includes an area that is configured toreceive at least a portion of an electrical connector or connectorassembly. The area can include one or more mounting features to receivethe electrical connector. In an exemplary embodiment, the slot 106extends through the rear connector portion 136 and a set of rear bosses138 extend outwardly from the rear connector portion 136. A connectorbody and/or wiring can at least partially extend through the slot 106,while one or more of the rear bosses 138 can receive fasteners to securethe connector to the mounting plate 100. The rear bosses 138 can bealigned with the front bosses 108 so that a fastener can extend from afront boss 108 into a rear boss 138 or vice versa.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary connector 140 attached to the mounting plate100. The connector 140 is a female connector that includes a connectorbody 142 and a set of electrical contacts 144. The connector body 142extends through the slot 106 from the front connector portion 104 to therear connector portion 136 and is configured to mate with acorresponding male connector. The electrical contacts 144 includeblades, although other contacts such as pins or tines may also be used.A wired connection can be established between the connector 140 and thelighting assembly 10.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 the connector 140 is coupled to the frontconnector portion 104, with the connector body 142 extending through theslot 106. The connector 140 is then wired to the light assembly 10through one or more conductors 146. The mounting plate 100 can then besnap-fit to the housing 12.

The mounting plate 100 is configured to mate with a junction box 200 asshown. As best shown in FIG. 16, the junction box 200 includes a rearwall 202 and a plurality of side walls 204. The rear wall 202 includes aseries of apertures, for example slots 206 and circular openings 208.The slots can be used to connect the junction box 200 to a structure orother support, and the circular opening 208 can act as a conduit formains power supply wiring. One or more of the rear wall 202 aperturescan be knock-outs. The side walls 204 can also include apertures such asknock-out openings 210 that can act as wire conduits.

A slot 212 is provided two opposite side walls 204 positioned to receivethe mounting arms 124. A connector 214 is provided in the junction box200 that mates with the connector 140 positioned on the rear connectorportion 136. The connector 214 is a male connector that includes aconnector body 216 and a set of electrical contacts positioned in themale projections 218. The connector body 216 is coupled to a bracket 220that is mounted to the junction box 200. A wired connection can beestablished between the connector 214 and power supply wiring 222.

The junction box 200 can be mounted on a structure or support, such as awall. A wired connection can be made between the junction box connector214 and the power supply wiring 222. The junction box connector 214 canbe coupled to the junction box 200, for example by securing the mountingbracket 220 to the junction box 200 with one or more fasteners. Theconnector 214 can be coupled to the junction box 200 before or after itis connected to the power supply wiring 222. The emergency lightingassembly 10 can be snap-fit to the junction box 200 through theconnection with the mounting plate 100. The walls 122 of the mountingplate 100 fit inside of the junction box 200 and the mounting plateconnector 140 is mated with the junction box connector 214. As shown inFIGS. 17 and 18, fasteners can be inserted through the side walls 204 ofthe junction box 200 and connect to the apertures in the central tabs132 of the mounting plate 100 to further secure the mounting plate 100to the junction box 200. To remove the light assembly 10, a user canpress the mounting arms 124 into the junction box 200, releasing themounting plate 100, and allowing the entire light assembly 10 to beremoved as one piece. This allows for easy installation and removal ofthe lighting assembly 10, and can allow the lighting assembly 10 to bereplaced without a user having to make a high-voltage electricalconnection.

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary truss mounting assembly for the junction box200 and the light assembly 10. The junction box 200 is connected to atruss member 30o through a fastener assembly. In an exemplary embodimentthe fastener assembly includes a truss screw 302, a plate 304, a lockwasher 306, and a nut 308. The light assembly 10 is snap-fit to thejunction box 200 as described above, and one or more fasteners can beinserted through the side walls 204 of the junction box 200 and connectto the apertures in the central tabs 132 of the mounting plate 100 tofurther secure the mounting plate 100 to the junction box 200.

The foregoing detailed description of the certain exemplary embodimentshas been provided for the purpose of explaining the principles of theinvention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilledin the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.This description is not necessarily intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the exemplary embodiments disclosed. Any of theembodiments and/or elements disclosed herein may be combined with oneanother to form various additional embodiments not specificallydisclosed. Accordingly, additional embodiments are possible and areintended to be encompassed within this specification and the scope ofthe appended claims. The specification describes specific examples toaccomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way.

As used in this application, the terms “front,” “rear,” “upper,”“lower,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and other orientational descriptorsare intended to facilitate the description of the exemplary embodimentsof the present invention, and are not intended to limit the structure ofthe exemplary embodiments of the present invention to any particularposition or orientation. Terms of degree, such as “substantially” or“approximately” are understood by those of ordinary skill to refer toreasonable ranges outside of the given value, for example, generaltolerances associated with manufacturing, assembly, and use of thedescribed embodiments.

What is claimed:
 1. A lighting device comprising: a housing; a lightemitter coupled to the housing; a mounting plate coupled to the housingand having a front surface facing the housing and a rear surfaceopposite the front surface, the rear surface including a snap-fitmounting feature and a rear connector portion; and a first connectorcoupled to the rear connector portion and operatively coupled to thelight emitter.
 2. The lighting device of claim 1, wherein the snap-fitmounting feature includes a cantilevered mounting arm.
 3. The lightingdevice of claim 1, wherein the rear connector portion includes a slotand the first connector extends through the slot.
 4. The lighting deviceof claim 1, wherein the first connector is a plug-style connectorconfigured to mate with a corresponding second connector.
 5. Thelighting device of claim 4, wherein the corresponding second connectoris attached to a junction box.
 6. The lighting device of claim 4,wherein the first connector includes a female plug.
 7. The emergencylighting device of claim 1, wherein mounting plate is snap-fit to thehousing.
 8. The lighting device of claim 6, wherein the mounting plateincludes a cantilevered arm extending from the front surface.
 9. Alighting device comprising: a housing; a light emitter coupled to thehousing; a mounting plate coupled to the housing and having a frontsurface facing the housing and a rear surface opposite the frontsurface; a first connector coupled to the rear connector portion andoperatively connected to the light emitter; and a second connectorconfigured to be coupled to a power supply, wherein the first connectoris configured to mate with the second connector.
 10. The lighting deviceof claim 9, wherein the rear connector portion includes a slot and thefirst connector extends through the slot. ii. The lighting device ofclaim 9, wherein the first connector includes a female connector and thesecond connector includes a male connector.
 12. The lighting device ofclaim 9, wherein the second connector is coupled to a mounting bracket.13. The lighting device of claim 9, wherein a cantilevered arm extendsfrom the rear surface of the mounting plate.
 14. A lighting assemblycomprising: a light assembly having a housing at least partiallydefining a chamber containing a control component for a light emitterand a mounting plate having a front portion facing the chamber and arear portion positioned opposite the chamber, wherein a first connectorand a first snap-fit feature extend from the rear portion; and ajunction box comprising a plurality of walls, a second snap-fit featureprovided on at least one of the walls; and a second connector positionedin the junction box, wherein the first snap-fit feature mates with thesecond snap fit feature and the first connector mates with the secondconnector.
 15. The lighting assembly of claim 14, wherein the firstsnap-fit feature includes a cantilevered arm and the second snap-fitfeature includes a slot.
 16. The lighting assembly of claim 14, whereinthe first connector includes a female connector and the second connectorincludes a male connector.
 17. The lighting assembly of claim 14,wherein a wall extends from the rear surface of the mounting plate intothe junction box.
 18. The lighting assembly of claim 17, wherein thewall includes a tab and an opening for receiving a fastener.
 19. Thelighting assembly of claim 14, wherein the second connector is coupledto a mounting bracket.
 20. A method of installing a quick-changelighting assembly: wiring a first electrical connector to a powersupply; coupling the first electrical connector to a junction box;coupling a lighting assembly to the junction box, wherein the lightingassembly includes a mounting plate and a second electrical connectorextending from the mounting plate, and wherein the second electricalconnector mates with the first electrical connector when the lightingassembly is coupled to the junction box.